The grand final replay of Toowoomba's A grade competition did not disappoint, with another close encounter between Highfields and Goondiwindi at Gilbert Oval on Saturday night.
In front of a large crowd, Brenton Clement scored a 78th minute try to break a 30-30 deadlock for Highfields and snatch the game from the home team.
Highfields started the better side, leading 20-6 after 30 minutes.
Conor Nolan, Matt Prowse and Brenton Clement with two tries caught the Boars on the edge during that period.
Then Boars young half Trae Bennetto announced himself on the TRL scene.
In the last 10 minutes of the half, he scored two tries and set up Brandon McGrady to help his side to an unthinkable half-time lead at 24-20.
It was amazing, especially after Goondiwindi had no answers earlier in the match. But David McGrady and Bennetto had other ideas.
It took until the 13th minute in the second half when Bennetto struck again - this time it was his most spectacular try as he took an intercept on his own 20 metre line to race 80 metres to get the defending premiers in front 30-20.
That first period of the second half was quality football with either side standing up and not giving an inch in punishing displays.
Highfields finally crawled their way back into the match when Campbell Stewart and Carl Clement scored to bring the game level with 10 minutes to go.
The last 10 minutes was not for the fainthearted as both teams pushed through fatigue to gain every inch.
Boars' David McGrady and Eagles' Cory McGrady had a field day in blustery conditions with many high balls to test their opposition.
Both teams scrambled until newly named Clydesdale Tom Hatch kicked a smart grubber from dummy half from a metre out.
The ball went cleverly behind the ruck. No one was home and Goondiwindi boy Clement dived on the loose ball to score his third try and win the game for Highfields with a couple of minutes remaining.
An amazing “end-to-end” game continued this wonderful rivalry.
Cory McGrady was tremendous and did not make a mistake and constantly troubled Goondiwindi with his kicking game and pinpoint passing.
All the Clement brothers had great games, with Connor especially good in the first half for Goondiwindi while Carl relished playing against his old club.
Brenton grabbed his second hattrick of the season and is in the best form of his life.
Highfields never went away and the whole team contributed. When Goondiwindi got on a roll, they did not panic.
They were patient waiting for momentum to swing.
Sam Bielefeld, Conor Nolan and Jacob Mouatt were very good for the Eagles. Darcy Carswell and Josh Quinlan also made their debuts for Highfields in a game that you would suggest they won’t forget.
For Goondiwindi, Bennetto was tremendous.
David McGrady showed why he was recently named the number one player in the competition.
He just has the ability to turn a game on its head with wonderful kicking and game management.
Tyler Dennison was good upfront and Ash Jarrett was excellent in the middle.
But it was Highfields' day and they are now 3-0 in the TRL competition.
Highfields 36 (Brenton Clement 3, Campbell Stewart, Conor Nolan, Matthew Prowse, Carl Clement tries Josh Fanning 4 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 30 (Trae Bennetto 3, Geoffrey Prince, Brandon McGrady tries Malcolm McGrady 5 goals)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Cory McGrady (Highfields) 2 Trae Bennetto (Goondiwindi) 1 Brenton Clement (Highfields)
Reserve Grade: Highfields 40 def Goondiwindi 18
Women: Goondiwindi 16 def Highfields 8
Other results
A grade: Oakey v Brothers
Oakey 30 (Sam Crocker 2, Dylan Adamson, Sione Lopamaua, Leevai Sutton tries Dylan Adamson 5) defeated Brothers 26 (Jessy Hammermeister, Sam Betros, Josiah Alberts, Dan English, Albert Dynevor tries Sam Betros 3 goals)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Jazz Namana (Oakey) 2 Sam Betros (Brothers) 1 Albert AJ Ma Chong (Oakey)
Reserve Grade: Brothers 26 def Oakey 14
Under 19: Brothers 42 def Oakey 26
Women: Oakey 30 def Brothers 6
A grade: Souths v Pittsworth
Souths 26 (Brandon Trost, Chance Dawes, Blake Lollback, Ben Cook, Mitch Murphy tries Ben Howard 3 goals) defeated Pittsworth 20 (Jordan O’Shea 2, Jayden Antonio, Luke Hill tries Laurie Jocumsen 2 goals)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Ben Cook (Souths) 2 Jordan O’Shea (Pittsworth) 1 Kyle Petersen (Souths)
Reserve Grade: Pittsworth 32 def Souths 18
Under 19: Redbank 28 def Pittsworth 18
A grade: Wattles v Warwick
Wattles 30 (Aaron Hooper 3, Austin Jennings, Michael Pearson, Nick Van Der Poel tries Matt Duggan 3 goals) defeated Warwick 22 (Matt Marshall 17th, 67th Mick Bloomfield 20th, Brock Patti tries Matt Marshall 3 goals)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Matt Duggan (Wattles) 2 Mick Bloomfield (Warwick) 1 Travis Burns (Wattles)
Reserve Grade: Wattles 12 def Warwick 10
Under 19: Warwick 34 def Wattles 8
A grade: Dalby 86 v Newtown 4
Dalby 86 (Saundra Seumanutafa 4, Denman Ah-You 3, Travis Babington 2, Sam Fermor 2, Alex Dunemann, Tevita Folau, Steve Franciscus, Hunter James, Dylan Taylor tries Alex Dunemann 10, Dylan Taylor goals) defeated Newtown 4 (Jacob Lingwoodock try)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Saundra Seumanutafa (Dalby) 2 Denman Ah-You (Dalby) 1 Alex Dunemann (Dalby)
Reserve Grade: Dalby 50 def Newtown 6
Women: Newtown 60 def Dalby 6
Under 19: Ipswich Brothers 20 def Dalby 18
A grade: Gatton v Valleys
Gatton 28 (George Tavita, Haydan Lipp, Ben Seul, Jayden Williams, Tyson White tries; Haydan Lipp 4 goals) defeated Valleys 6 (John Maila try Daniel Bain goal)
Webcke Price Medal Points: 3 Haydan Lipp (Gatton) 2 Jarryd Dodd (Valleys) 1 Lisite Hafoka (Gatton)
Reserve Grade: Gatton 56 def Valleys 10
Under 19: Gatton 30 def Valleys 0
Women: Gatton 20 def Valleys
